MOSCOW (Sputnik) – It would be irrational for Russia to use intercontinental ballistic missiles against the Islamic State (IS, or Daesh in Arabic) militant group, the commander of the nation’s Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) said Wednesday.
"I see no need to use SMF missiles against Islamic State targets," SMF Commander, Col. Gen. Sergei Karakaev said at a press conference, answering a reporter’s question.
The general said that Russia had other means of destroying Daesh positions. "Rational planning means that each target is engaged by the most effective weapon system at hand," he explained.
Karakaev added that the decision to use ICBMs with any type of warhead could only be taken by Russia’s commander-in-chief.
SMF is a branch of the Russian Armed Forces which is the backbone of the country’s Strategic Nuclear Forces, designed for nuclear deterrence. It has a range of ICMBs at its disposal, including Topols.